Selous Impala fly-camp review

The fly camp experience was much enjoyed and, with the staff numbers accompanying us, explained the additional cost which, on initial booking, seemed a bit steep. The gradings must be viewed bearing in mind the type of camp.

The food was good and made better by eating in front of the camp fire in the lakeside location.

We enjoyed the foot safari here and Andrew, our guide, was excellent all through.

Selous Impala fly-camp review

Not sure that we gained much from this but it was enjoyable.Comfortable tentsNoisy wildlife, but that's what we went forGood food...we thought it would be cooking over an open fire, not a roast chicken with Jersey new potatoes! It was good to have our guide Gerrard join us for dinnerGood campsiteEnjoyed the morning walking safari.

Selous Impala Fly Camp

The only time we felt properly alone in the bush was at the fly camp. Of course there was an armed ranger nearby and several other members of staff, but sitting in the tent, looking out over the lake, we could have been completely alone. In the middle of the night all you could hear was the wild life, we lay there wondering just how close the hippos were.

The fly camp was a complete change from Selous Impala Camp. A small, basic but comfortable tent, a pit toilet and camp shower, but still the same level of attention to detail and of course great guiding.

The only down side was that our guide, rather strangely, joined us for the “romantic lakeside dinner” – making it slightly less romantic...

Selous Impala fly-camp review

The nature of the camp was not what I anticipated as my expectation was for something much more basic - possibly influenced by one of the pictures in the brochure showing a framework covered by a mosquito net and otherwise open to the elements.

The camp appeared to be permanent with a tent including a double bed and adequate external toilet and shower facilities. The dining area was covered by a gazebo and the table had a white table cloth, napkins, cutlery and glassware. Food was good considering the limited facilities. I was the only one to hear the leopard in the night but the next morning Ezra found fresh leopard tracks (in fact their were two) so I was clearly not mistaken.

It would be helpful, I think, if it were made clear to travellers that this is not the basic experience that I had expected although it was, nevertheless, thoroughly enjoyable.

Selous Impala fly-camp review

The location of the fly-camp was amazing - right in the bush next to the lake. Couldn't have been better! The staff were all brilliant and really looked after us. We were amazed to find that we had 5 staff there, just for us! The whole experience was superb and I'd thoroughly recommend it to any other of your customers.

On the (slight) down side, we were told (by you? and by the Selous managers when we arrived) that we would be able to do a walking safari when we were at the fly-camp (or maybe walk to the camp, or from). This sadly wasn't possible, although we could potter up and down the shore of the lake near the camp.

Highlight of our trip

We spent one night at the Impala fly-camp which was probably the most memorable night of our entire stay.We arrive at the camp after dark as our truck managed to brake down just as the sun was setting. On our arrival we were met with a cool drink and introduced to the fly-camp staff. We had a small team of people looking after us, including an armed guard an chef.The camp was marked out with lanterns and we had a quick look around before dinner. Set close to a lake, the camp included a shower, bucket toilet and wash basin. Our tent was filled with a large foam matress and we could see the camp fire from our bed. Dinner was again superb and a we enjoyed a few beers around the camp fire before bed. Laying in bed listening out for hyena calls and sometimes wondering just how close they were was a night I will never forget.A definate must do if you are stayin 4 nights or longer.

Selous Impala fly-camp review

We felt thoroughly spoilt when we arrived to find that we had five staff to look after the two of us!We were glad that we booked to stay for two nights because this gave us a full day there, without having to unpack and then pack up to leave the next day.The staff looked after us wonderfully, with the chef even cooking our eggs for breakfast over the fire under a table because it was raining.

Selous Impala fly camp great adventure

We went for 2 nights fly camping from Impala, and that was an amazing experience. A brilliantly run set-up and we enjoyed it enormously.

We were by a lake and the hippos and giraffes wandered around us quite happily. We had expected we would be 'roughing it', but quite the contrary. Everything was provided and the staff were outstanding.

To be able to sit by a camp fire, chatting with our guide under millions of stars and to see a leopard going to drink at the lake says it all.

We have always believed that acting responsibly is the only way to approach tourism and we're one of
the few companies to hold AITO's original coveted 5-star status for responsible tourism. It's a lead
that others are now following.